Ruger Scout velocities

[Rumrunner]

I took my chronograph to range yesterday to compare my 16" Scout to my 22" American.

Barnes factory 130 grain lists at 3125fps; in American 3091, in Scout 2942 for 149 fps difference, 25fps per inch of barrel.

Fed factory 175gr SMK lists at 2600fps; in American 2509, in Scout 2394 for 115fps difference, 19fps per inch of barrel.

Barnes 150 grain reloads (Factory lists2900); in American 2743, in Scout 2621 for 122 fps difference, 20.5fps per inch.

Rem factory 180 grain RN lists at 2620 fps; in American 2572, in Scout 2442 for 130 fps difference, 21.5 fps per inch.

All loads averaged 21.5fps slower in my Scout. I don't think any animal will realize the difference.

The Federal 175 SMK averaged 0.55" for three 3 shot groups at 100 yds
Barnes 130 averaged 0.49" for three 3 shot groups at 100 yds.
The Rem 180 Corelokts and my 150 Barnes reloads both averaged right at 1".
Shooting done with a Vortex 2x7 scout scope.

 

[Mobuck]

I'm used to seeing considerably more velocity loss from 20" to 16" in .223 AR platforms.
Sounds like your 16" is doing well.

 

[gunzo]

Cool ! thanks for the report.

And I agree Mobuck, the 223 doesn't perform it's best in the 17-19" range. But the 308 is reasonably happy there. 20" seems optimal in the shorter barrels & 26" for the longer ones.

rifleshooter.com has long list of barrel cutting & chrono test. I enjoy looking them over. Those test seem to be more accurate than trying to compare 2 different barrels. Of course most folks don't like chopping their barrel up. In these case I'd rather read about it than do it myself.

 

[Rumrunner]

My American was anywhere from 25 to 90 fps slower than what the ammo makers published. I'm sure their test barrels are 24 or 26 inches. Even the difference between listed fps and what I actually got in the Scout was less than I thought it would be.
I called Barnes yesterday for some load info, and the person I spoke with was very interested in my results. Plus, very helpful in supplying me with load data.